GOP bringing help to state’s congressional candidates

A Republican congressional leader is venturing into the wilds of bluest California next week in an effort to win back at least some of the ground the GOP has been losing in the state.

Oregon Rep. Greg Walden, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, will be barnstorming through the state, headlining fundraisers and looking to rev up the troops in eight House districts that Republicans are targeting.

Besides the Monday evening fundraiser for Logue in Marysville, Walden also will do a $1,000-per-couple lunch for Doug Ose in Fairfield on Tuesday. Ose, who spent six years in Congress before declining to run for re-election in 2006, is looking to unseat Democrat Ami Bera of Elk Grove in a district that covers the Sacramento suburbs.

Bera — and the possibility of political payback — is one of the reasons Walden is making the California swing. Two years ago, the physician was one of four Democrats to take over Republican-held seats in a disastrous election for the GOP, edging incumbent Rep. Dan Lungren.

Walden is making stops in all four of those districts, as well as in a couple of others that Democrats hope to take away from the GOP, including the Central Valley seat held by Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford.

Democratic leaders have been quick to dismiss Walden’s campaign effort as little more than wishful thinking, arguing that even races that may have been close in the June 3 primary will move toward their party with the much higher — and, they hope, more liberal — turnout in the November election.

“Walden is parachuting into California to reward his ally Congressman David Valadao and his other hand-picked darlings for their pledge to continue this Congress’ dysfunctional agenda,” said Tyrone Gayle, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

The Democratic candidates themselves are less sanguine, especially those making their first bid for re-election.

As soon as Walden’s fundraiser for Gorell was announced, Brownley sent out a frantic fundraising request to supporters, warning that her campaign needs money to counter the backing and cash GOP leaders are bringing to her district.